This article will explain how to determine if a water right exists for the use of water on a piece of property by using the database of all water rights that DANR maintains.

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources maintains a searchable database of water rights at https://danr.sd.gov/OfficeOfWater/WaterRights/Databases/WaterRights.aspx

The database is searchable using a map or by a number of fields associated with the water right. The most reliable search function is the legal description (section, township, range) based on the location of the diversion (pumping) point.

Please be aware that a water right can become subject to cancellation for various reasons. While the database does inform whether a water right has been cancelled, it does not identify whether an existing water right may be subject to cancellation for abandonment, forfeiture for nonuse, or non-construction. Please contact us if there is a question on the status of a water right.

If you are a citizen wanting to know if a water right is in place or have questions for the SD DANR, Water Rights Program regarding water permitting, please contact us via email at DANRmail@state.sd.us attention: Ron Duvall or Karen Schlaak or call (605) 773-3352.

For more information about DANR visit https://danr.sd.gov/.

For more information about DANR Water Rights Program visit https://danr.sd.gov/OfficeOfWater/WaterRights/default.aspx